HF 794

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying medical assistance coverage to
include consultations with psychologists; increasing the medical assistance
reimbursement rate for critical access mental health services; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 256B.0625, subdivision 48; 256B.763.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0625, subdivision 48, is amended to
read:

Subd. 48.

Psychiatric new text begin or psychological new text end consultation to primary care
practitioners.

deleted text begin Effective January 1, 2006, deleted text end Medical assistance covers consultation provided
by a psychiatrist new text begin or psychologist new text end via telephone, e-mail, facsimile, or other means of
communication to primary care practitioners, including pediatricians. The need for
consultation and the receipt of the consultation must be documented in the patient record
maintained by the primary care practitioner. If the patient consents, and subject to federal
limitations and data privacy provisions, the consultation may be provided without the
patient present.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.763, is amended to read:

256B.763 CRITICAL ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH RATE INCREASE.

(a) For services defined in paragraph (b) and rendered on or after July 1, 2007,
payment rates shall be increased by 23.7 percent over the rates in effect on January 1,
2006, for:

(1) psychiatrists new text begin , psychologists, new text end and advanced practice registered nurses with a
psychiatric specialty;

(2) community mental health centers under section 256B.0625, subdivision 5; and

(3) mental health clinics and centers certified under Minnesota Rules, parts
9520.0750 to 9520.0870, or hospital outpatient psychiatric departments that are designated
as essential community providers under section 62Q.19.

(b) This increase applies to group skills training when provided as a component of
children's therapeutic services and support, psychotherapy, medication management,
evaluation and management, diagnostic assessment, explanation of findings, psychological
testing, neuropsychological services, direction of behavioral aides, and inpatient
consultation.

(c) This increase does not apply to rates that are governed by section 256B.0625,
subdivision 30, or 256B.761, paragraph (b), other cost-based rates, rates that are
negotiated with the county, rates that are established by the federal government, or rates
that increased between January 1, 2004, and January 1, 2005.

(d) The commissioner shall adjust rates paid to prepaid health plans under contract
with the commissioner to reflect the rate increases provided in paragraph (a). The prepaid
health plan must pass this rate increase to the providers identified in paragraph (a).